Alumni learn about mindfulness and multiple intelligence

On 1 October 2026, more than 40 Nepali alumni participated in workshop focused on ‘Mindfulness and Multiple Intelligence for Professionals’. The session, which ran for nearly two hours, was the latest in Australia Awards – Nepal’s Alumni Learn & Network Series.

The workshop was facilitated by Rajendra Manandhar, a Mindfulness & Leadership Trainer from Nepal Speakers Bureau with two decades of leadership and managerial experience. He introduced participants to the concept of mindfulness and four key forms of intelligence: intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual intelligence.

Workshop facilitator Rajendra Manandhar.

Rajendra explained that ‘mindfulness’ involves becoming aware of one’s thoughts, acknowledging them, and learning to detach from negative thoughts instead of becoming consumed by them. He emphasised that developing this skill requires regular practice. He also highlighted the risks of dwelling on the past, describing it as a form of “automatic negative thinking” that can adversely affect wellbeing.

During the session, Rajendra also introduced the participants to the 16 levels of emotions described by Dr David Hawkins in his book Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinates of Human Behavior. Rajendra encouraged attendees to pause for three seconds at different times throughout each day to identify and acknowledge their emotions without judging or resisting them, recognising that both positive and negative emotions are part of the human experience.

Alumni Dr Nepali Sah (left) and Dr Kashiraj Pandey (right) participating in the event.

The workshop ended with a guided relaxation exercise accompanied by the soothing sounds of singing bowls, giving the alumni an opportunity to put mindfulness techniques into practice.

Australia Awards – Nepal’s Alumni Learn & Network Series offers short professional development modules designed for immediate workplace application. Each session concludes with a networking opportunity, enabling alumni to strengthen professional connections and exchange insights.

Alum Pragya Maharjan attending the event.

Past sessions in the series have covered using LinkedIn effectively, strategic decision-making, emotional intelligence, artificial intelligence and design thinking. To attend upcoming workshops, alumni must register in advance.